Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Religious Studies

Our A-level Religious Studies course offers a range of faith-specific options, ensuring students have a thorough understanding of diverse philosophical and ethical viewpoints.

The course features a variety of relevant and contemporary themes, to help inspire engaging classroom discussion. Students will also gain critical and evaluative skills sought after by higher education and employers.

If you have any further queries about this subject please email enquiries@beverleyj6.co.uk

3 Papers

Philosophy

• The argument from design

• The cosmological argument

• The ontological argument

• The argument from experience

• The problem of evil

• Solutions to the problem of evil

• Religious language

• Criticism of religious beliefs

• Life after death

• Religion and Science

Ethics

• Environmental issues

• Equality

• Utilitarianism

• Situation ethics

• Natural law

• War and peace

• Sexual ethics

• Metaethics

• Relationship between religion and morality

• Deontology and virtue ethics

• Medical ethics

Religion (Buddhism)

• The 4 noble truths

• The 3 marks and 5 skandhas

• The 3 refuges

• The 5 precepts

• The life of The Buddha

• The Tipitaka

• Theravada Buddhism

• The spread of Buddhism

• Rise of Triratna Buddhism

• The role of women in Buddhism

• The Boddhisattva doctrine

• Ahimsa in the modern world

Component 1: Philosophy of religion and ethics

What's assessed

Section A: Philosophy of religion

Arguments for the existence of God

Evil and suffering

Religious experience

Religious language

Miracles

Self and life after death.

Section B: Ethics and religion

Ethical theories

Issues of human life and death

Issues of animal life and death

Introduction to meta ethics

Free will and moral responsibility

Conscience

Bentham and Kant.

How it's assessed

Written exam: 3 hours

100 marks

50% of A-level

Questions

Section A: Philosophy of religion – two compulsory two-part questions, each worth 10 marks and 15 marks.

Section B: Ethics and religion – two compulsory two-part questions, each worth 10 marks and 15 marks.

In both sections, questions may span more than one topic. In each two-part question, the first part tests AO1 and the second part tests AO2.

Component 2: Study of religion and dialogues

What's assessed

Section A: Study of religion – for each faith option (2A–2E) the following topics are covered:

Sources of wisdom and authority

God/gods/ultimate reality

Self, death and the afterlife

Good conduct and key moral principles

Expression of religious identity

Religion, gender and sexuality

Religion and science

Religion and secularisation

Religion and religious pluralism.

Section B: The dialogue between philosophy of religion and religion.

How religion is influenced by, and has an influence on philosophy of religion in relation to the issues studied.

Section C: The dialogue between ethical studies and religion.

How religion is influenced by, and has an influence on ethical studies in relation to the issues studied.

How it's assessed

Written exam: 3 hours

100 marks

50% of A-level

Questions

Section A: Study of religion – two compulsory two-part questions, each worth 10 marks and 15 marks relating to the religion chosen. Questions may be set that span more than one topic. In each two-part question, the first part tests AO1 and the second part tests AO2.

Section B: The dialogue between philosophy of religion and religion – one unstructured synoptic question from a choice of two (25 marks).

Section C: The dialogue between ethical studies and religion – one unstructured synoptic question from a choice of two (25 marks).

• GCSE Religious Studies grade 5

Held in high regard by Universities - particularly if following Arts/Humanities. Useful in professions which involve issues, argument, debate – e.g. Law, Journalism, Politics and those dealing with people, e.g. teaching, medicine etc